Men to gather Feb. 24 for annual Men N Ministry retreat

COLUMBIA—The 2024 Men N Ministry spiritual retreat will offer not only a new location but powerful speaking, golf and an opportunity for a new style of men’s fellowship, Cigars and Scriptures.

The event will be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24, at Journey Church, a United Methodist church at 1151 Longreen Pkwy., Columbia.

The 2024 South Carolina Men N Ministry Golf Tournament will kick off the event the morning of Friday, Feb. 23. Held at The Spur at Northwoods Golf Course, 201 Powell Rd. Columbia, there will be a shotgun start at 10 am. Cost is $80 per player and $5 Mulligans (two per player). Men will have the opportunity to do practice balls before the tournament, and a meal will be provided. First place trophies will be presented, and all proceeds go to South Carolina Men N Ministry to make better men in South Carolina.

Then, on Friday night, Journey will host a group discussion, “Cigars and Scriptures,” with shrimp and grits around a firepit from 6-8:30 p.m. Led by Ty Williams of Journey Church, Cigars and Scriptures meets once a month with different pastors speaking for a time on Scriptures and then everyone discusses what they learned. This year, attendees of the Men N Ministry spiritual retreat will have the opportunity to join the event.

“It’s a different concept but well worth trying, so we will be meeting Friday night,” said South Carolina Conference United Methodist Men President Kenny Bingham. “Along with the discussion, there will be shrimp and grits. Well, maybe we just got your attention. Yes, good Southern shrimp and grits. Everything will outside around a couple of fire pits. There is also a non-smoking section, so don’t let that stop you. I’m one that is willing to give almost anything a chance to get men involved in their families, churches and making them better Christians. Say amen.”

This year’s theme is “Act Like a Man,” drawing from 1 Corinthians 13:11.

The spiritual retreat will be Saturday, Feb. 24. Registration will be from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Several speakers will speak on this year’s theme, including the Rev. Percival Reeves of Sanctuary Church, Charlotte; Dr. Rosario Picardo of Mosaic Church, Beavercreek, Ohio; the Rev. Trevor Miller, Mount Horeb Church, Lexington; and the Rev. Steven Brown, Marion District superintendent for the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.

South Carolina UMC’s Resident Bishop L. Johnathan Holston will highlight the event.

“This year as we move to Journey Church we are expecting an exciting day with new ideas, a new venue but always with God as our focus,” Bingham said. “This is the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, but we are trying to make the men, all men of South Carolina, better fathers, brothers and uncles.”

Bingham said every man in South Carolina is invited no matter their religion or non-religion status.

“We chose this theme as we feel it is time we act like real men. Please consider making this day the day you make a difference in your home, your job and your church. We will be looking for you at Journey Church Feb. 24,” Bingham said.

For more information or to register: https://mennministrysc.org or 843-246-8398.